TITANIUM DIOXIDE

European Commission imposes definitive punitive tariffs on TiO2 from China / Industry voices disappointment

BISPHENOL-A

EU bans use of BPA in food-contact materials / Transitional periods of up to 36 months

WORLD PLASTICS COUNCIL

President Benny Mermans elected for second term

GLOBAL TRADE

US president-elect proposes tariff hikes for Brazil

PLASTIC BAGS

Croatia introduces fee for thin plastic bags

GLOBAL TRADE

EU agrees major trade deal with Mercosur / Opportunities for EU manufacturers to increase exports of automotive parts, chemicals

ABS

EU considers imposing anti-dumping duties on ABS imports from South Korea and Taiwan

RECYCLING UK

Recoup urges packaging companies to design for recyclability / Firms face reputational costs on non-compliance

PACKAGING EUROPE

Council of the EU formally adopts PPWR / Regulation to be applied 18 months after date of entry into force

PVC

UK hits imports of US-made S-PVC with swingeing tariffs / Inovyn alleged stateside producers of dumping material

UN PLASTICS TREATY

No consensus after Busan talks / Petchem industry accused of ‘unsupportive' behaviour / Rising endorsement of production caps / Further session planned

UK

Government stresses support for deposit return scheme / Announcement follows Welsh move to shelve DRS plan

SPAIN

DRS for plastic bottles to be introduced by 2026 / Alternative system well short of target / Environmentalists praise long-awaited step

PACKAGING EUROPE

PPWR corrigendum officially approved by MEPs / Regulation expected to enter into force at start of 2025

SWEDEN

Industry praises cancellation of plastic bag tax / Move could bolster competitiveness against imports / Abolishment not expected to affect plastics waste management

WASTE EXPORTS

UK shipments to Turkey on the rise again / 60% increase between 2022 and 2023 – Greenpeace

AGRICULTURAL FILMS

Biodegradable mulch films added to European fertiliser regulation / Major headway for farming sustainability – EUBP

PVC

UK government proposes tariffs on US-made S-PVC / British shops voice fears over impact

EUROPEAN POLITICS

EU commissioner candidates confirmed / Climate discussion front and centre / Von der Leyen plans to ‘engage' with Trump

CHEMICAL RECYCLING

UK government accepts use of mass balance to verify chemically recycled plastics for packaging tax / EU member states show support, EC mulls it over